Ad watch: Super PAC hits Nelson as a ‘confused puppet’

Just hours after Rick Scott became the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Bill Nelson, New Republican PAC, a committee supporting Scott is up with a new ad. Titled “Puppet” the commercial accuses Nelson of being controlled by the Democratic agenda. The ad asks why Democrats are spending “almost $50 million to re-elect Bill Nelson” and then claims the Democrats control this “confused puppet nearly 90% of the time.”

The commercial points out Nelson’s Congressional Record of voting for tax increases and visually ties him to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. By using the word “confused” it reminds voters of Nelson’s recent comments regarding Russian hacking of some county election systems, a claim disputed by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Florida Senate race will likely be the most expensive race in the country for the 2018 election cycle. Senator Nelson has also launched his first TV ad and is spending $18 million starting Wednesday. Control of the Senate could very well be at stake, making this a must win race for both Democrats and Republicans.